ONLINE COURSE AVAILABLE FOR SAFETY REPRESENTATIVES

The Health and Safety Authority has launched a short online course for new and current safety reps to raise awareness of their role, and to provide the relevant health and safety information. 

The course on the HSA e-learning portal www.hsalearning.ie will also provide essential information for those considering becoming a safety representative. While it does not replace training, it provides information that may be useful as part of the training process.

On successful completion of the 30-minute course, learners should be able to:
  • Identify key sections of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
  • Describe the role (functions) of a safety representative.
  • Identify the rights of a safety representative
  • Understand the basis of risk assessment.
  • Source information and resources available to safety representatives.

Pictured (l-r): HSA’s Frank Vaughan, Robert Roe, Joanne Harmon, Michael Gillen and Martin O’Halloran (who recently retired as CEO).

Joanne Harmon, HSA’s Head of Education, said the course will help learners to understand the positive impact safety reps have in the workplace. “It is accessible 24/7 on www.hsalearning.ie and can be taken at their own pace and time. On passing the short assessment, a certificate of completion can be downloaded which may be added to the learner’s training records.

“The group manager’s function can also be very useful as it allows supervisors or tutors to set up groups of learners to take the course and to monitor completion rates. The course can also be used as a refresher for those who are already in the role and it can be taken any number of times,” she added.

Supported and promoted by ICTU and IBEC, the 30-minute course is also suitable for employers, employees, safety committee members and H&S practitioners. Further supports and resources are available at www.hsa.ie and www.bemart.ie.